Africa 7 1970

Robert Motherwell created ‘Africa 7’ using lithography. The dominant visual symbol here is the sinuous, black form that winds across the canvas. It evokes the image of a serpent, an ancient symbol with a multitude of meanings. Consider the serpent in the Garden of Eden, a symbol of temptation and forbidden knowledge. Yet, the serpent also embodies healing and transformation. Think of the Caduceus, the symbol of medicine, where snakes intertwine around a staff. This duality highlights the serpent’s complex role in our collective psyche. The subconscious is also a stage for primitive and powerful emotions. The serpent can instill fear, but it can also symbolize vitality. This recalls images of the Ouroboros—the serpent eating its own tail. An emblem of cyclical renewal, its endless loop invites reflection on the transience of life and the enduring power of rebirth. As it appears in Motherwell’s print, the serpent is a reminder of how cultural symbols evolve, taking on new meanings while echoing our deepest emotions and memories.